casual cooking and living

Monthly Archives: August 2016

Wait don’t throw out those berries! Sometimes, I have left over berries in my fridge, yes hard to imagine but true. If you find that you have berries that are maybe not at peak left over , consider making this quick berry jam recipe. I used blackberries because they were what I had left over but easily you could be using raspberries, blueberries or strawberries. I have been know to just use whatever I might have left over. It’s so simple to make the green apple supplies the pectin to make the jam and voila you have your very own homemade fridge jam. Serve along with your favorite biscuit, toast or pancakes!

From by the bay wishing you a very jammy food memory!

Maryann

P.S. I love the blackberry version of this jam!

Quick and Easy Blackberry Jam

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh blackberries

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cored, peeled and chopped granny smith apple

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

Wash blackberries and pick over for any impurities. Place ingredients in a medium pan on low heat and mix well. Heat slowly for approximately 40 minutes stirring occasionally, until jam comes to a rolling boil. Test to see if jam has thickened by using a spoon to see that it doesn’t run. You can mash the berries or leave the larger pieces. If it’s a little runny no worries it will jell in the fridge. Place in a jam jar and cover. Store in the refrigerator until ready for use for up to one week.

Here is a recipe to make use of the abundance of delicious eggplant available this time of year. i like to use petite heirloom eggplant such as fairy tale or Japanese for this recipe, although you can use the larger purple eggplant if that is what is available just slice lengthwise in 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices. This is a great side dish, I love serving with grilled baby lamb chops, especially if you use the same tahini sauce drizzled on top of your grilled chops. Sublime!

Cut eggplant into lengthwise slices, depending on your width you can cut in half or into widths of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Coat with the additional olive oil. Grill on a medium heat until eggplant starts to brown 1 to 2 minutes and then flip to brown the other side. Pull off the heat and place on a platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then drizzle with the tahini dressing. Garnish with chopped mint. Serve immediately or at room temperature within the hour.

Heirloom tomatoes are not only delicious to eat, they are a true feast for the eyes. I love the wide variety of colors and shapes. I decided to deviate from my favorite salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil to this combination or tomato, peach, ricotta and tarragon. You will love this variation, especially if you find a good quality store bought ricotta cheese. If you are ambitious try making your own ricotta cheese it’s really simple. My recipe is included below. I made my own ricotta for this salad because I had a large container of whole milk about to hit the expiration date. I didn’t want the milk to go to waste and I can’t think of a better use than making fresh ricotta cheese. The peaches add some sweetness to the salad and frying a few almonds in olive oil adds some needed crunch. This is a new favorite for my summer dining!

From by the bay, wishing you sunny tomato and peach food memories!

Maryann

Tomatoes and Peaches with Ricotta and Fried Almonds

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes, some sliced and some halved

2 large ripe peaches, pitted and sliced

1/4 cup whole unsalted roasted almonds

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar

1/2 cup fresh ricotta ( homemade or store bought) recipe below

2 teaspoons tarragon leaves

fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

On large platter arrange the tomatoes and peaches. Dot the ricotta on top of the tomatoes and peaches. In a small skillet heat the olive oil and add the almonds. Stirred until almonds are heated and start to sizzle. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before adding the sherry vinegar. Mix together. Drizzle dressing over the tomatoes and peaches. Dot the ricotta cheese on top. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with tarragon leaves. Serve immediately.

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

Line a sieve with a dampened cheesecloth and place over a bowl to strain the cheese. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, stirring occasionally. The mixture will start to separate in curds ( the thick part that is the cheese) and whey ( the thin liquid you drain off). Once that happens, pour into the sieve, catching the ricotta into the cheesecloth lined sieve. Let stand for 20 to 25 minutes letting the liquid drain off. Let drain depending how thick and moist you want. the longer it drains the thicker and drier the ricotta. Once drained, take the cheese out of the cheesecloth and store in a container in the refrigerator until ready to use. This will stay 3 to 4 days.

Variations – all good and I’ve made and enjoyed each one depending on the ingredients on hand.

Use only whole milk for a slightly less creamy version, this is great if you don’t have any heavy cream.

Replace the heavy cream with buttermilk, don’t use any vinegar for a drier textured ricotta, good for cooking